A PENSIONER whose car was swept away during Storm Angus died in a "tragic accident", police have said.

Russell Sherwood, a pensioner, whose car was swept away in Storm Angus died in a 'tragic accident'

Russell Sherwood, 69, from Neath, South Wales, disappeared after setting off from home on Sunday morning as wind and rain battered Britain.

It is thought he was heading to The Vale of Glamorgan to collect his wife but never arrived.

Diving teams discovered his silver Ford Focus upside down in the water as they searched the River Ogmore near Bridgend on Tuesday evening but were unable to get into the vehicle because of "treacherous" conditions.

His body was found when they resumed the search at first light yesterday.

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Diving teams discovered his silver Ford Focus upside down in three water as they searched the river

Our thoughts remain with Mr Sherwood's family at this difficult time

Chief Superintendent Stuart Parfitt

Mr Sherwood's family have been given the grim news and were last night being supported by specially trained officers.

Chief Superintendent Stuart Parfitt from South Wales Police, said: "The search for Mr Sherwood has now concluded, after a car and a body were sadly recovered this morning.

"There are no suspicious circumstances and the incident is being treated as a very tragic accident.

"Formal identification of the body will now take place, and the investigation has been referred to the coroner.

"Our thoughts remain with Mr Sherwood's family at this difficult time, and I would like to thank them for their co-operation and patience while we conducted a search operation in what were extremely difficult conditions."

It is the second tragedy linked to the first storm of winter 2016.

A 39 year-old woman died after she was pulled from heavy seas near Folkestone, Kent on Tuesday.

She was spotted by a helicopter crew before being airlifted to a local hospital at around 7am, but could not be saved.

The case was since been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Kent Police said they had received a call concerning the welfare of the same woman at around 6.30pm on Monday and referral to the IPCC was "mandatory" in such circumstances.

A look back on the devastating Storm Angus

Tue, November 22, 2016

Storm Angus has brought hurricane force winds to southern Britain causing flooding and power cuts to thousands of homes.